Mason took Mrs. Newberry’s arm and turned her back toward the cabin. “After all,” he said, “that’s probably the best thing to do.”
“But I can’t stand this suspense,” she told him. “I can’t simply wait in the cabin.”
Mason lowered his voice and said, “You don’t want Belle to be known as the daughter of an embezzler, do you?”
“No. Of course not.”
“How would you like it,” Mason asked, “if she were the daughter of a murderer?”
“But I don’t understand...”
“Can’t you see?” Mason interrupted. “You don’t dare do anything which would attract attention to Carl. So far as you’re concerned, you’re going to act just like any other passenger.”
She hesitated a moment, then turned and started back toward the cabin. Della Street crowded close to Perry Mason. “Are you going to represent her?” she asked. “If she’s mixed up in what happened on deck?”
Mason nodded. “ She isn’t mixed up in anything. I won’t represent her husband, but I’ll see her through.”
“I wish you hadn’t told her that,” Della said.